2:39pm Wednesday 8th April 2009
TEEN rapper Fugative, dubbed as East London’s answer to Justin Timberlake, looks set to break into the big time after striking a deal with hip hop mogul Kirk Burrowes.
The talented 15-year-old, known to friends and family as Harry Byart, will soon jet off to New York to record an album with the renowned US music producer, who founded Bad Boy Records with P Diddy. Before that gig, he will be playing in Hitchin this weekend.
And there’s more good news for Fugative’s growing legion of fans, when his latest single, Jimmy Shoes, is released next week under independent record label Clotted Cream.
Speaking earlier this week, Fugative says he has high hopes for his Stateside visit. “This is it – this is the big one. It was great meeting Kirk and it will be a real privilege working with him. I’m really looking forward to it.”
Fugative adds: “Kirk even said that I remind him a little bit of when he was younger. That’s a huge thing to say and a really nice compliment.”
Once over in New York, lucky Fugative will have the chance to work with some of the biggest music producers, including Christopher “Tricky” Stewart, who has worked with Rihanna, Usher and Jamie Foxx, Soul Diggaz, who has produced for Missy Elliot and Beyoncé, and YoungLord, who has collaborated with P Diddy and Pussycat Dolls.
The chance to work in the States is a huge boost for the young artist, who has built up a loyal following thanks to his regular appearances at under-18 clubs around the country. Fugative also received national recognition after his first single, It’s Summertime, was tipped by BBC Radio One’s Nick Grimshaw and it became one of the most requested songs on Channel U.
Now his latest single, Jimmy Shoes, a romantic, but tongue-in-cheek track poking fun at the obsession girls have with their shoes, also looks to become a hit – before it’s even been released. Fugative explains: “I uploaded it onto YouTube just a few days ago and it had already received 5,000 hits by the following morning. Now it’s closer to 20,000 hits and still going up all the time.”
Fugative first became interested in music aged seven, when his mum Gloria, who managed various acts including Marvin Gaye, introduced him to producer Darren Martyn. From then on he was hooked and set about writing, producing and recording his own music from his bedroom-based studio.
The result was his very own brand of “hip pop”. He explains: “I didn’t want to be categorised as just another hip hop artist. I wanted to be different. So I came up with hip pop, which is basically rap and R 'n' B, with a pop twist.
“People have actually compared me to Justin Timberlake, and the fact is I wouldn’t complain. But I just want to be me. I really want to be different, with my own sound.”
Jimmy Shoe is out now. Fugative is playing at Remix, Hitchin, on Saturday, April 11, 7pm-2am. Details: www.fugative.co.uk or www.myspace.com/fugativeuk.
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